Lions aren't overblown with confidence despite win streak

This Nov. 7, 2010, file photo shows Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh rushing the line during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, at Ford Field. The Chiefs' offensive line had enough trouble with the Buffalo Bills last week. Now they face Ndamakung Suh, the pass-rushing, run-stuffing Lions tackle who strikes fear into opposing quarterbacks.

For all the excitement about the Detroit Lions, who have won five straight going back to last season, the players are grounded.

No giddiness, no overblown confidence, no big-time swagger to be seen anywhere.

When you've been at the bottom -- rock bottom -- it takes time and the right mindset to climb out.

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"We've won one game this year, we're still considered a losing franchise, so we still play with that chip, I think you can't ever lose that," veteran center Dominic Raiola said. "We're not in a place where that should be gone, in this locker room guys feel the same all around, we're getting there, we're on the right track, we're getting there."

Wide receiver Nate Burleson thinks along the same lines. The Lions need another win for confidence's sake.

"If we can get another win, we'll start to believe and continue to change the way we think," Burleson said. "Winning is a habit, it's not a habit yet (for us), it's got to become one."

So even though the Lions are 9-point favorites over the Kansas City Chiefs for Sunday's home opener at Ford Field, they are prepared for a tough matchup.

"I think that we worry about ourselves, worry about playing well. We can play a lot better than we did last week, but I think we're at a different point with our team," coach Jim Schwartz said. "Like I've said, there's not a lot of carryover from year to year, but it has been awhile since we've had a loss, so we're starting to get used to dealing with winning.

"In the past, it was how do we deal with a loss and we got pretty good at doing that, so I think we've had a little practice ... a little too good (laughter). We've had some practice at coming back off of wins and we've got a good mentality as a team," Schwartz added.

Coming off a 27-20 win at Tampa a week ago, the Lions are pleased with the 1-0 record, but not necessarily pleased with the game.

"After you break it down we still have a lot of work to do. There's a lot of improvements to be made. Little things, we like where we're going," Raiola said. "We're not satisfied where we are right now. We can definitely play better."

For the offense that starts with Matthew Stafford, who had a stellar game in the win over the Bucs statistically.

"I mean, I definitely missed some guys, some opportunities. The first one that comes to mind is the one I had pumped and got (Aqib) Talib to jump and had Calvin in the end zone wide open, we were at the 5-yard line and I threw it to about the third row in the stands I was so excited," Stafford said. "I want that one back for sure."

"The next play the one to (Brandon) Pettigrew I know we want that one back, we had a chance for a touchdown. There are throws like that and plays like that all throughout the game," Stafford said. "They don't go unnoticed by me. I'm probably my own toughest critic. I feel like I played OK, good enough for us to win, but there was still a lot left out there."

That's what the Lions hope to find on Sunday before a sold-out crowd. Just the little extra against a Chiefs team that is coming off a 41-7 humiliating loss at home and will play the rest of the season without Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry.

"My history in the NFL, playing a team right after getting their butts kicked is the most dangerous thing you can do," Burleson said. "They're going to be (ticked) off. We're going to have to play an A-plus game to win."

Paula Pasche covers the Lions. Follow her on Twitter @PaulaPasche. Read her Lions Lowdown blog at TheOaklandPress.com. Get Lions news delivered directly to your phone by texting the keyword "Lions" to 22700.